From                   28th June, 2006, Board 1

                                          Theme                Cross-Ruffing

                                          Difficulty            * *

                                          Dlr North           None Vul

West starts with the A♣, and continues with the K♣, which you ruff on the board.

If trumps are 3-2 (with the Queen not falling), then the objective is 11 tricks, otherwise, you’ll just have to settle for 10.  Plan the play.

SOLUTION

This is actually a rather simple hand if Declarer avoids getting mesmerized by the Diamond suit.  The danger is that Declarer will cash AK♥ (the suit breaking but no Q♥ falling), then play on Diamonds.  If Diamonds are 3-1, the second round gets ruffed, another Club is led, and Dummy is forced to ruff, using up the last entry to the board before the Diamonds are unblocked.  If that were to happen, Declarer would be stuck at the end with a Spade loser and would make but 10 tricks.

No, we should forget about the long Diamonds and go after 3 ruffs on the board.  After ruffing the second Club, cross to the A♠, ruff another Club, cross to the K♠, ruff a Spade, then two top Hearts.  If Hearts are 4-1, it’s 10 tricks, if Hearts are 3-2 it’s 11.

Keys to Success

   - Realizing that the Diamonds are an illusion!

   - Going after 3 ruffs in the Dummy instead

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